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College Park, Maryland, home to roughly 32,000 residents and the flagship University of Maryland campus, has one of the highest renter concentrations in Prince George's County. With a large student and young-professional population, rental housing demand is consistently high, making an understanding of landlord-tenant rights especially important for residents who may be renting for the first time or navigating lease renewals in a competitive market.
College Park renters are protected primarily by Maryland's Real Property Article (Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-201 through 8-604), which governs security deposits, habitability standards, eviction procedures, anti-retaliation protections, and prohibited landlord practices statewide. The city has not enacted any local rent control, just-cause eviction, or tenant-protection ordinances beyond state law, so Maryland statutes are the principal source of renter rights here.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific dispute with your landlord, consult a licensed Maryland attorney or contact a legal aid organization for guidance tailored to your situation.
College Park has no rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Unlike some Maryland jurisdictions that have explored local rent regulation, College Park has never enacted a cap on how much a landlord may increase rent between lease terms or during a tenancy.
Maryland law does not broadly preempt local rent control the way some other states do, meaning municipalities technically have the authority to pass such ordinances — but College Park has simply chosen not to. As a result, landlords in College Park may raise rent by any amount at lease renewal, provided they give the tenant adequate written notice (one full rental period for month-to-month tenants under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402, or whatever notice the lease specifies for fixed-term leases).
In practice, this means College Park renters have no legal ceiling on rent increases. A landlord may raise rent significantly upon renewal, and a tenant's only recourse is to negotiate, accept the new rate, or move out. Renters should carefully review any renewal notice and understand that state law offers no cap on the dollar amount of an increase.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211.1): Maryland landlords must maintain rental units in a safe, sanitary, and habitable condition throughout the tenancy. This includes keeping structural elements, plumbing, heating, electrical systems, and common areas in good repair. If a landlord fails to remedy a serious defect after written notice, tenants may petition the District Court for rent escrow — paying rent into court rather than to the landlord — until repairs are made.
Security Deposit Rules (Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-203 through 8-211): Security deposits are capped at two months' rent. The landlord must hold the deposit in a federally insured account and pay interest on it at a rate set annually by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Full details are covered in the security deposit section below.
Notice Requirements (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give written notice equal to one full rental period (typically one month) before terminating the tenancy. Week-to-week tenants are entitled to one week's notice. Fixed-term leases expire by their own terms without additional notice unless the lease specifies otherwise.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208.1): A landlord may not evict, raise rent, or otherwise retaliate against a tenant for exercising a legal right — such as complaining to a housing code inspector, joining a tenant organization, or requesting repairs. If a landlord takes adverse action within 90 days of a tenant's protected activity, retaliation is presumed and the landlord bears the burden of proving a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason.
Prohibition on Lockouts and Utility Shutoffs (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211): Self-help eviction is illegal in Maryland. A landlord may not remove a tenant's belongings, change the locks, or deliberately cut off utilities such as heat, water, or electricity to force a tenant out. Only a court order and a sheriff or constable may carry out a legal eviction.
Lead Paint Disclosure (Md. Code, Environment §§ 6-801 et seq.): Maryland has strict lead paint inspection and disclosure requirements for pre-1978 rental housing. Landlords must register units with the Maryland Department of the Environment, conduct inspections, and provide tenants with lead risk reduction certificates before occupancy.
Maryland's security deposit law — found at Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-203 through 8-211 — provides some of the most detailed tenant protections in the region, and every College Park renter should understand these rules before signing a lease.
Cap: A landlord may not charge a security deposit exceeding two months' rent (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)). Any amount collected above this cap must be refunded to the tenant within 30 days.
Interest: The landlord must deposit the security deposit in a federally insured financial institution and pay the tenant interest on the full amount. The interest rate is set annually by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Interest accrues from the date the deposit is received.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord has 45 days to return the deposit (plus accrued interest), or to send a written, itemized list of deductions along with any remaining balance. The itemization must describe each deduction and its dollar amount (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211(b)).
Condition Checklist: At move-in, the landlord must provide a written checklist of the unit's condition. The tenant should sign it and keep a copy, as it is the baseline for any deductions at move-out. Tenants are strongly encouraged to document the unit's condition with photos and to request a move-out inspection.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If the landlord wrongfully withholds part or all of the deposit, fails to provide a timely itemization, or otherwise violates the security deposit statute, the tenant may sue in District Court and recover the deposit plus damages equal to 1.5 times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211(f)).
Evictions in College Park follow Maryland's statewide summary ejectment procedure, governed by Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-401 through 8-402 and the Rules of the District Court of Maryland. The process has strict procedural requirements that landlords must follow before a tenant can be lawfully removed.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord may file immediately after rent is overdue (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-401). For month-to-month tenancy termination, the landlord must give one full rental period's written notice (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402). For lease violations other than nonpayment, the landlord must give the tenant written notice of the breach and a reasonable opportunity to cure before filing.
Step 2 — Filing in District Court: The landlord files a complaint in the Prince George's County District Court. For nonpayment of rent, this can be done the day after rent is due and unpaid. The court schedules a hearing, typically within a few weeks, and the tenant is served with a summons. Tenants have the right to appear, present defenses, and pay any rent owed (plus court costs) to stop an eviction for nonpayment.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: At the hearing, both parties present their case before a District Court judge or magistrate. If the court rules in favor of the landlord, it issues a judgment for possession. Tenants who disagree may appeal to the Circuit Court within four days of the judgment (Md. Code, Courts & Jud. Proc. § 12-401).
Step 4 — Warrant of Restitution: If the tenant does not vacate after judgment, the landlord must request a Warrant of Restitution from the court. A sheriff or constable — not the landlord — carries out the physical removal. There is a waiting period of at least four days after judgment before the warrant may be issued, giving tenants time to appeal.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction: Maryland law strictly prohibits self-help evictions. Under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211, a landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, remove the tenant's personal property, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out. Doing so exposes the landlord to civil liability and potential criminal penalties. If your landlord attempts a lockout or utility shutoff, contact the Prince George's County Police and Maryland Legal Aid immediately.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Maryland does not require landlords to state a specific reason (just cause) to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. A landlord may decline to renew a lease or terminate a month-to-month tenancy simply by providing the required notice, as long as the termination is not retaliatory (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208.1).
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects Maryland landlord-tenant law as understood in April 2026, but laws and local ordinances can change at any time. RentCheckMe makes no warranties about the completeness or accuracy of this information. Renters with specific legal questions or disputes should consult a licensed Maryland attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization for advice tailored to their individual circumstances.
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